When the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes, gastric contents may have a tendency to be transferred into the esophagus. This condition is referred to as the Gastroesophageal Reflux or GER. It creates a disturbing feeling of heart burn, as well as breathing problems.
How to assess GER
People who experience this condition will usually exhibit poor weight gain, vomiting, choking in between meals, and difficulty in breathing. Newborns who suffer from this would even experience apnea or loss of breathing episodes.
In other cases, a person may experience sensations of chest compression, and he may be guarding painful areas, such as his abdomen and diaphragm region. If vomiting is persistent, he may exhibit symptoms of pallor, dizziness, cold and clammy skin, and nausea.
The diagnosis of this condition depends on the results of the laboratory examinations that will be requested by the doctor. One of these diagnostic procedures is the testing of the pH balance of the gastric contents.
Home remedies
If you experience this condition, you can do something at home to minimize its effects. Acid reflux treatment would usually involve modifications of diet and positioning.
First, you should consider small frequent feedings rather than three large meals per day. This is to prevent vomiting stimulus and to correct some nutrition errors in your body in a smooth manner. It is also a must that you should drink plenty of water and replace the fluid loses every time you vomit.
Second, you should avoid lying flat on bed, but instead try to position yourself in an upright position. Avoid strenuous movements and activities, such as running and lifting heavy objects.
Aside from these two common home managements for GER, your doctor will also prescribe medications to control vomiting episodes and other complications that may result from this condition. One of the most common drug prescribed is Ranitidine. Talk to your doctor regarding the proper use of this medication and its possible adverse effects.